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Nazareth Then and Now
Ancient Nazareth lacked the critical advantages for its development as a significant settlement: abundant water supply, an elevated site for defensive purposes, and strategic location adjacent to a major highway. The most comprehensive recent study of the archeology of ancient Nazareth and its local region was completed by Ken Dark over several seasons between 2004…
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The oldest hatred
Presentation to a panel discussion sponsored by the Jewish Council of Australia at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane on Monday, 29 September 2025. The topic of the event was: Should anti-Semitism be exceptionalised or should we combat all forms of racism together? Co-hosts for the event included: Doykeit (a local Jewish group in Brisbane), St John’s…
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Easter—day #50
Reflections for Pentecost Sunday’s bulletin … Today we are observing Pentecost Sunday. This is a holy day with ancient roots that run deep into the spiritual soil of our religion, while offering us a fresh vision for what life and faith might mean now and in the future. Pentecost is a holy day that we…
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Ecumenism: journey, pilgrimage and challenge
Easter 7(B) 13 May 2018 Christ Church Cathedral The ten days between Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday are marked within the Australian churches as a week of special prayer for Christian unity. As we reflect on the challenges faced by all Christian communities in contemporary Australian society, it may be worth reflecting on…
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Making meaning out of the cross
My 2018 Good Friday sermon seems to have attracted rather more attention, and to have triggered much more conversation, than any other recent sermon. The overwhelming tone of the communications that I have received have been appreciative, positive and supportive. However, I also know that in certain theological corners my views have caused dismay and…
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Life embedded in love
Easter 5(B) Christ Church Cathedral Grafton 29 April 2018 [video] As best I can recall, my very first Sunday reflection was on the Gospel passage we have just heard: John 15, the vine, the vinegrower and the branches. I was around sixteen at the time and had not yet commenced any formal theological studies. Coming to…
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Earthlings first and last
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Earth Sunday 2018 22 April 2018 [video] Today we have an opportunity to reflect on the significance of Earth for us as people of faith, and to reflect on the significance of faith—specifically Easter faith—for Earth. This is a huge topic and one with immense significance. I propose simply to offer…
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A letter to my critics
It seems that my 2018 Good Friday sermon has attracted more interest among a wider circle of people than I mostly manage to achieve. This includes negative reactions—some of them quite exaggerated—among conservative Evangelicals for whom there is only one way to understand the theological significance of the cross. During the past week or so…
